As you know, since 2013 KHS and Kalamazoo County have operated under a Memorandum of Understanding to create and locate animal welfare services in a single facility. As the process has evolved, so have the perspectives of both the County and the Humane Society. During the two-year process, we both came to realize that the flexibility of separate facilities outweighed the advantages of a shared one. After much discussion, we agreed the best path forward is to pursue separate facilities based on our individual roles, needs and opportunities.

While we won’t be together under one roof, we’re still solid partners in the collaborative work benefiting the community and its animals. The County and the Humane Society have enjoyed a long, productive partnership for many years. We both remain committed to that work.

Meanwhile, the Humane Society is in the final stages of securing land in Comstock Township for our new home. Once we’ve closed on the property, we’ll begin designing the facility and a capital campaign to fund it. Our goal is to be in the new facility in 2017.

On behalf of everyone at the Kalamazoo Humane Society—and most importantly, the animals of greater Kalamazoo—I have appreciated your support for our crucial work that includes reducing unwanted litters; providing pet food for about 500 animals each day; and offering a safe haven for pets of domestic assault victims. With your help, we’ve spayed/neutered over 55,000 animals since 2002, during which time we’ve seen a dramatic reduction in the number of unwanted animals in our community. This opportunity to create a Center that will meet ever-increasing animal welfare needs comes at a wonderful time in our organization’s 118-year history, and we appreciate your continued support as we move forward.

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There’s an amazing quote by a 20th century philosopher named Martin Buber: “An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”

Respect, responsibility and compassion are important elements of that message. And the Kalamazoo Humane Society is taking the lead in making sure the message is clearly heard.

We’re very proud of our latest tool to deliver that message: a new video titled “Speaking a Great Language: The Story of the Kalamazoo Humane Society.” You can watch it on YouTube by clicking here. It’s a brief but engaging inside look at the history, advocacy and services we provide to pets and the community at large:

We lead in providing low-cost spay and neuter services. Each year KHS performs more than 6,000 procedures through Operation Fix-It, a program that has already surpassed the milestone of 50,000 surgeries. This drives down the population of unwanted animals, meaning fewer animals sent to shelters or destroyed.

We feed 500 pets every day through our emergency food bank. This sustains our animal friends and helps pet owners who are in financial need.

We partner with the YWCA’s domestic assault program to house animals from troubled homes, removing a barrier to people who struggle to leave an abusive situation.

We offer educational resources to help people learn how to care for animals appropriately and humanely.

I hope you enjoy our video. All of us at KHS are grateful for the generous supporters and committed volunteers who help us make a positive impact on this great community. By sharing this video and supporting our cause, you join in speaking the great language of respect, responsibility and compassion for our animals.